Everything You Need to Know About Justin Hartley’s Career
Justin Hartley’s Career at a Glance
Justin Hartley is an actor and producer best known for playing Kevin Pearson on This Is Us and Colter Shaw on CBS’s Tracker. He first built a following as Fox Crane on Passions and Oliver Queen, also known as Green Arrow, on Smallville. He later earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for The Young and the Restless and shared two Screen Actors Guild Awards with the This Is Us cast.
Hartley’s career has grown beyond acting. He has directed television episodes and serves as an executive producer on Tracker. This guide covers the roles, awards, family life, and behind-the-scenes work that shaped his path from daytime soaps to a leading network drama.
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Early Life, Education, and Career Beginnings
Justin Hartley was born in Galesburg, Illinois, and raised in nearby Knoxville, Illinois. Growing up in the Midwest, he developed a deep appreciation for storytelling, sports, and community. After completing high school, he attended Southern Illinois University and the University of Illinois Chicago, where he pursued dual passions by majoring in history and theatre.
His academic foundation gave him a profound understanding of character motivations and dramatic structure. Armed with ambition and classical training, Hartley made the bold leap to pack up his truck with very little money and drive west to Los Angeles.
His Hollywood journey kicked off in earnest in 2002 when he secured his first major regular role on the NBC daytime soap opera Passions. Playing the privileged yet troubled Fox Crane, Hartley quickly became a fan favorite. His four-year run on the show provided him with an intense daily acting workshop, honing his ability to memorize pages of dialogue quickly and deliver emotional beats under tight filming schedules. Readers looking for a detailed overview of his early filmography can consult Justin Hartley – IMDb for full series listings and guest credits.
Justin Hartley Career Milestones: From Smallville to Primetime Drama
Justin Hartley in Superhero and Soap Roles
Following his daytime breakthrough, Hartley transitioned into primetime television with a defining genre role: Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) on The CW’s long-running superhero hit Smallville. First appearing as a recurring guest in season six, his charismatic portrayal of the billionaire vigilante resonated so strongly with viewers that he was promoted to a full series regular. Over the course of 72 episodes between 2006 and 2011, Hartley brought depth, humor, and heroic presence to the DC Comics character.
Hartley returned to daytime television from 2014 to 2016 to portray Adam Newman on CBS’s flagship series The Young and the Restless. Taking over an established legacy character is never easy, but his layered performance earned him widespread praise and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2016. During this period, he also expanded into primetime guest arcs and recurring roles, including appearances as Patrick Osbourne on ABC’s Revenge and plastic surgeon Scott Thompson on Mistresses. His complete acting background is thoroughly documented on Justin Hartley.
The Kevin Pearson Era: Breakthrough on This Is Us
In 2016, Hartley achieved a critical and cultural milestone when creator Dan Fogelman cast him as Kevin Pearson in NBC’s acclaimed family drama This Is Us. As one-third of “The Big Three” alongside siblings Randall (Sterling K. Brown) and Kate (Chrissy Metz), Hartley tackled one of the most complex, vulnerable character arcs on modern television.
Across 105 episodes spanning six seasons, Kevin evolved from an insecure sitcom star into a sober, empathetic father, business founder, and family anchor. Hartley earned three Critics’ Choice Television Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his raw portrayal of addiction, grief, and self-discovery.
| Television Series | Character Name | Role Type | Total Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passions (2002–2006) | Fox Crane | Series Regular | Daytime Soap Arc |
| Smallville (2006–2011) | Oliver Queen / Green Arrow | Main Cast | 72 Episodes |
| The Young and the Restless (2014–2016) | Adam Newman | Series Lead | 100+ Episodes |
| This Is Us (2016–2022) | Kevin Pearson | Main Cast | 105 Episodes |
| Tracker (2024–Present) | Colter Shaw | Series Lead / EP | Lead Role |
Behind the Scenes: Producing, Directing, and ChangeUp Productions
While Hartley is widely recognized for his on-screen presence, his work behind the camera has established him as a skilled storyteller and creative executive. His directing journey began on Smallville, where he directed the season ten episode “Dominion” (2011) after previously co-writing the episode “Sacrifice” in season nine.
Hartley continued directing on This Is Us, helming the poignant season four episode “A Hell of a Week: Part Three” (Episode #413), which earned praise from cast members and critics alike.
To support original storytelling across mediums, Hartley founded ChangeUp Productions. In 2019, the company secured an overall pod deal with 20th Television. Under this banner, Hartley has served as executive producer on major film and television properties, including:
- The Noel Diary (2022): Hartley executive produced and starred in this Netflix holiday drama, which debuted as the platform’s #1 film worldwide upon release.
- Tracker (2024–Present): Hartley serves as executive producer alongside showrunner Ken Olin.
- No Good Deed: A television project developed for ABC through his production banner.
CBS’s Tracker and Current Television Stardom
In early 2024, Hartley debuted in his most prominent leading television vehicle to date: CBS’s hit procedural drama Tracker. Based on Jeffery Deaver’s bestselling novel The Never Game, the series follows Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist and reward seeker who travels the country in his airstream using his tracking skills to help private citizens and law enforcement solve mysteries.
Premiering in the coveted post-Super Bowl time slot, Tracker quickly became an enormous broadcast success. By the end of its inaugural season, it was crowned the #1 series on network television—the first time a freshman show achieved that top ranking since the original debut of Survivor in 2000.
With over 80 million viewers tuning in across platforms, the show solidified Hartley’s status as one of broadcast television’s most reliable and compelling leading men. Fans can follow production news, schedule updates, and official announcements directly on Justin Hartley Online | The Official Website.
Personal Life, Awards, and Philanthropy
Justin Hartley Personal Life, Family, and Marriages
Off screen, Hartley maintains a grounded personal life centered around family, sports, and charitable work. He has been married three times:
- Lindsay Korman (2004–2012): Hartley met his Passions co-star early in his career. The two share a daughter, Isabella Justice Hartley, born on July 3, 2004.
- Chrishell Stause (2017–2021): Hartley was married to the actress and real estate agent for several years before their divorce was finalized in early 2021.
- Sofia Pernas (2021–Present): Hartley married former The Young and the Restless co-star Sofia Pernas in 2021. The couple frequently collaborates on creative endeavors, with Pernas appearing in guest arcs on Tracker.
An avid sports enthusiast, Hartley is a passionate follower of Chicago and Los Angeles sports teams, frequently cheering on the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Dodgers. He is also committed to philanthropic endeavors, serving as an active advocate and supporter for The Water Project, an organization dedicated to providing clean, safe water across sub-Saharan Africa.
Major Awards and Nominations
Hartley’s work over his 55 acting credits has earned him notable industry recognition across both daytime and primetime programming:
- Screen Actors Guild Awards (2018, 2019): Won back-to-back awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for This Is Us.
- Critics’ Choice Television Awards (2019, 2020, 2021): Nominated three consecutive times for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for This Is Us.
- Daytime Emmy Awards (2016): Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for The Young and the Restless.
- Gold Derby TV Awards: Multiple ensemble and supporting actor nominations throughout his six-season tenure on NBC.
Frequently Asked Questions About Justin Hartley
How old is Justin Hartley and where was he born?
Justin Hartley was born on January 29, 1977, in Galesburg, Illinois, and grew up in Knoxville, Illinois. He is 49 years old.
What is Justin Hartley’s most famous television role?
While Hartley is widely recognized as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow from Smallville and Colter Shaw on Tracker, his defining role to date is Kevin Pearson on NBC’s award-winning drama This Is Us, which aired for 105 episodes over six seasons.
How successful is Justin Hartley’s show Tracker?
Tracker is one of the biggest network hits of the decade. It concluded its first season as the #1 series on network television, drawing more than 80 million total viewers and breaking multi-decade ratings records for CBS.
Conclusion
From his early days memorizing scripts for daytime television to carrying primetime ratings juggernauts like This Is Us and Tracker, Justin Hartley has crafted an enduring, multi-dimensional career. His natural ability to blend vulnerable drama with physical action—combined with his growing portfolio as a director and executive producer—cements his legacy as one of television’s most versatile talents.
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